CoinPoker Europe Players Get $7M CoinRewards and $30M Battle of Malta Online Series
29 Jun 2026Read More
Federal Judge Sentences Attorney Tom Goldstein to Six Years in Poker Tax Case
- Tom Goldstein sentenced to 6 years for tax and financial crimes.
- Conviction followed evidence of concealed poker winnings and false mortgage docs.
- Judge denied voluntary surrender, citing flight risk and strong evidence.
Image by Danny Maxwell / Pokernews
Well-known Washington lawyer Tom Goldstein was sentenced to six years in federal prison for tax and financial crimes. A jury convicted Goldstein after evidence revealed he failed to report millions in high-stakes poker winnings and falsified mortgage documents.
Prominent Washington lawyer Tom Goldstein was sentenced on Friday to six years in federal prison following his conviction on federal tax and financial crimes.
The ruling caps a high-profile case that linked the 56-year-old appellate attorney’s legal career to his side activities as a high-stakes poker player.
U.S. District Judge Lydia Griggsby delivered the sentence in Greenbelt, Maryland, after a day-long hearing.
Goldstein, who previously argued major cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, was convicted in February after a six-week trial that detailed his participation in multimillion-dollar poker games across the globe.
Goldstein was originally charged in January 2025 with concealing earnings and losses stemming from high-stakes poker games played in the United States and internationally.
Though he pleaded not guilty, a jury convicted him on charges of failing to report millions of dollars in poker winnings, providing false statements on mortgage loan documents, and making improper payments through his former law firm, Goldstein & Russell.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Griggsby addressed Goldstein's actions directly, emphasizing the universal duty of citizens to fulfill their tax obligations.
"Every American understands that they have an obligation to pay taxes," Griggsby stated, noting that the trial evidence demonstrated Goldstein willfully violated those laws.
Characterizing Goldstein as "brilliant by all accounts," Griggsby expressed disappointment in his actions and denied his request to voluntarily surrender.
Citing flight risk considerations and an assessment that an appeal would not succeed, the judge ordered Goldstein taken into custody immediately.
"I don't think this is a close case," Griggsby noted regarding the strength of the prosecution's evidence and the outcome of the trial.
Before the sentence was handed down, Goldstein addressed the court, expressing regret for his actions and acknowledging the impact on his professional standing.
"There is no question that I have deeply disappointed people, that I have not held myself to the standards that I should be held to, as somebody who's a lawyer and a prominent lawyer," Goldstein said during his statement to the judge.
Goldstein denied being a flight risk and requested permission to turn himself in voluntarily, but the request was denied. Following the conclusion of the hearing, he was escorted from the courtroom in handcuffs.
Prior to sentencing, federal prosecutors requested a prison term exceeding eight years, along with $3.1 million in restitution for unpaid taxes.
Defense attorneys advocated for a sentence of supervision, arguing it would enable Goldstein to pay back his debts, seek treatment for a gambling addiction, and contribute to society.
Upcoming Events
27 July 2026
CoinPoker $7 Million July Promotion Poker
CoinPoker Europe Players Get $7M CoinRewards and $30M Battle of Malta Online Series
WSOP Circuit Tallin 2026 Poker
Chasing the Gold Rings: A Complete Guide to WSOP Circuit Tallinn 2026
Irish Open Australia 2026 Poker
Irish Open Goes Global: Inaugural Sydney Schedule Features 40+ Tournaments
European Mixed Poker Championship 2026 Poker
Tallinn to Host Inaugural European Mixed Poker Championship 2026 This October
Battle of Malta Autumn Edition 2026 Poker
What to Expect from the Battle of Malta October 2026 Autumn Edition
APT Championship Taipei 2026 Poker
APT Championship Taipei 2026 Set to Ignite Asia Poker Arena with TWD 165M GTD Main Event
Poker EventsStarts in
CoinPoker $7 Million July Promotion
WSOP Circuit Tallin 2026
GGPoker $250 GTD Freebuy
WPT Global $250 Freebuy
Stake Poker $250 GTD Freebuy
BasePoker Weekly $2,000 Freeroll
EPT Barcelona 2026
Irish Open Australia 2026
WPT Australia 2026
Unibet Open Marrakech
APT Jeju 2026
European Mixed Poker Championship 2026
Latest News
-
CoinRewards -
WSOPC Tallinn 2026Chasing the Gold Rings: A Complete Guide to WSOP Circuit Tallinn 202621 May 2026Read More
-
GGPoker FreebuyGGPoker $250 GTD Freebuy Returns23 Jul 2026Read More
-
$250 GTD FreebuyThe PokerHeaven x WPT Global $250 GTD Freebuy24 Jul 2026Read More
-
Stake FreebuyGrind in PokerWired x Stake Poker $250 GTD Freebuy on Friday31 minutes agoRead More
